Bittersweet end to city's rockiest year

Wednesday

Dec 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - The City Council on Tuesday night closed out arguably the most challenging year in Stockton's long history by approving a new contract with police and socking away a meager $5.6 million into a reserve fund.

Scott Smith

STOCKTON - The City Council on Tuesday night closed out arguably the most challenging year in Stockton's long history by approving a new contract with police and socking away a meager $5.6 million into a reserve fund.

Presiding over her final full meeting, Mayor Ann Johnston and two outgoing council members also reflected on their service.

Upon receiving a plaque for her service, Johnston described her loss in the Nov. 6 election as bittersweet. She had wished for a second term to see through some of the difficult policies she and the council instituted.

In successive years, the council has had to cut millions in spending to balance budgets and ultimately decide to take Stockton into bankruptcy to once and for all fix the city's finances.

"It's been unfortunate, but boy, haven't we learned a lot in the process," Johnston said. "We have a long way to go before we can get back on the top. Stockton will survive. We all will survive."

Signs of a rocky path began early in the year.

In January, Johnston and the council scrambled to bring street crime under control. In February, the city already began signaling that bankruptcy was inevitable, which came June 28 with the city's bankruptcy filing in federal court.

Stockton gained the reputation as the nation's largest city to file Chapter 9.

The city this year also by far surpassed the last year's all-time high number of homicides.

Yet Johnston said she believes the changes she and the council instituted will bring a better day for Stockton. She encouraged the remaining council members and the new leaders, who will take office Jan. 8.

"Keep your head down," Johnston said. "Keep strong. Keep that body armor on. When you leave the council, everything will be turned around."

Councilman Dale Fritchen, who also departs, injected some humor.

Fritchen had been the lone wolf council member dissenting with his position steadfastly against bankruptcy. He compared his council service to riding a roller coaster, complete with surprise drops, woozy stomachs and sometimes having your fellow council members throw up on you.

"When you get toward the end of the roller-coaster ride, you sit there and say, 'You know what, it was a good ride,' " Fritchen said. "That's what I feel about serving on the City Council. It was a good ride."

Council member Diana Lowery, a third outgoing elected leader, complimented the council for its work and said she's not going to vanish, despite losing her seat.

"Bottom line - a 3 percent loss is a 3 percent loss," she said, vowing to take her determination and energy to other city, county and state endeavors. "This has truly been an honor to serve."

Getting down to business, the council reviewed and approved the new police contract. Council members voted to put a $5.6 million positive balance into a reserve fund, the first in years.

City Manager Bob Deis at the meeting's end complimented this council as the most courageous governing body he has ever worked under, having been in six local governments with an estimated 100 elected officials among them.

2013 is going to be a bellwether year for the city of Stockton, he said.

"The unfortunate thing for me, you put all the hard work in," Deis said. "You're not going to experience the fruits of your labor. For me, I'll remember that in 2013. I'll remember your courage."